About Me

I grew up in West Texas, and could not wait to get away. I got away, and went to the University of Texas, and then on to Stanford. I saw the world, and decided what I really wanted was to be in West Texas. So here I am, right back where I started. I had it all, and found it was not that great.

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Buffalo Hunters

Today's picture is from 1903, and shows two men over a Buffalo they have shot. By 1903 most of the Buffalo population had been decimated, so I would guess this was a private hunt from a ranch raised herd.

7 comments:

No, it isn't small. It is an 1895 Winchester carbine, likely chambered in 30-40 Krag caliber. A high power rifle cartridge that is comparable to modern rifle cartridges. The 30-40 round would cause more damage to the animal than the old big bore "buffalo guns" would have.

The near elimination of the buffalo is one crime for which the white man has to take full blame.

Ostinsibly we did it to satisfy our "lust" for distruction, but I think it was done in an attempt to eliminate the Indians who used the buffalo for a major part of their food source. They also used the hides for nearly everything else from housing to clothing to weaponry and more.It remains a scar on the history of our western expansion.

On a more positive note, the heards are coming back now. On a large ranch near here, there are three buffalo. One, (the cow), is raising two blond calves and they are quite attractive. They are kept pretty close to the road so the kids, big and little, can enjoy them. I believe this is going on around the country

Native Americans did not have the technology to commit the overkill of westerners. It is impossible to reliably predict how things would have differed if they were so equipped. Modern medicine, farming and transportation lead to more people in higher density in more places. We haven't figured out how to balance these favorably yet I don't envy those technologically primitve existances.

Jim, I have to disagree. God gave lions, and other predators the speed and brute strength to kill their prey. HE gave mankind the knowledge and mechanical skills to implement ways to reign over animals.

I have been an avid collector of old photographs and documents for over 30
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